According to Laurance, whose findings are reported this week in Science (December 14), a recent spike in Amazonian fires is being promoted by massive US subsidies that promote American corn production for ethanol. The ethanol is being blended with gasoline as an automobile fuel.
"American taxpayers are spending $11 billion a year to subsidize corn producers—and this is having some surprising global consequences," said Laurance.
The US is the world's leading producer of soy, but many American soy farmers are shifting to corn to qualify for the government subsidies. Since 2006, US corn production rose 19% while soy farming fell by 15%.
The drop-off in US soy has helped to drive a major increase in global soy prices, which have nearly doubled in the last 14 months. In Brazil, the world's second-largest soy producer, high soy prices are having a serious impact on the Amazon rainforest and tropical savannas.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
 Apple may be cool but it comes last on green list - Environment Australia

The City Council here voted late Tuesday to ban certain giant retail stores, dealing a blow to Wal-Mart Stores Inc's potential to expand in the nation's eighth-largest city.Friday, December 8, 2006
 Wind industry sniffs new direction

The Australian wind energy lobby group believes there are progressive attitudes towards the renewable energy on the Australian scene
Friday, November 10, 2006
 Australia lagging behind in solar uptake

THE head of the United Nations environment body has defended the Kyoto Protocol from attack by the Australian Government, and called on politicians to stop making decisions about climate change "based on narrow national self-interest".
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
 Green groups tackling climate change in Victoria election.

The glow from burning jatropha seed torches has often saved Maruti Chindu from treading on snakes, but now he carefully nurtures them for a use that he never imagined before -- running cars and trucks.
Wednesday, November 8, 2006

… testing for oil and gas in Irish waters, following a newly-published Australian study … in the science journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, involved conducting tests … and Environment did not respond to the detail of the Australian study …Monday, March 19, 2018
 Morning mail: The murky world of Cambridge Analytica

These included 38.9 degrees at Moruya Airport and 38.1 degrees at Merimbula, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Richmond, on Sydney's north-western edge had its hottest day this late in the season.
According to Blair Trewin, the Bureau's senior …
Monday, March 19, 2018
 Rain relief to snap warm spell but parts of NSW may cop heavy falls

Wednesday could see Sydney collect 15-25 millimetres and Thursday 25-45 millimetres, the bureau said.
"At this stage, it looks like [the trough] will have the biggest impact on the central coast and possibly even further north," said Rose Barr, …
Monday, March 19, 2018
 Blogger gives good oil on macadamias

A FRASER Coast environmentalist has called for the Fraser Island Defenders organisation to prove their latest claims behind the water runoff from the Colton coal mine.
It follows the group launching a new fight against the regional mine, claiming the …
Monday, March 19, 2018
 Bring gas supply into 21st century

… the transition to renewable energy "and Australians are bearing the brunt … ; The president of the Australian Council of Environmental Dean and Directors says … greenhouse gas pollution levels increased by 0.8 per cent across Australia for …Monday, March 19, 2018
 Removing the stench from the gas market

… it showed carbon pollution from WA natural gas was an … Energy and Mitsubishi joint venture.
The Canning Basin in Australia … the country: Queensland permits coal seam gas fracking, while New … Australia, breaking news with a focus on science and environment, …
Monday, March 19, 2018
 Turnbull government set for David and Goliath battle over energy plan

… energy policy.
Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Changes to national electricity … support the national energy guarantee, saying a “ … affordable and reliable energy in South Australia”.
The state … Augusta.
Nicole Hasham is environment and immigration correspondent …
Monday, March 19, 2018
 What is the NEG and what will it do?

… of renewable energy and thermal generation such as coal and gas, as well … lifting for less environmentally focused states.
The energy sector and Australian industry has … providing the prospect of lower electricity costs.
While it is not …
Monday, March 19, 2018
 Carnegie wins grant to power offshore gas platform with solar

… Clean Energy has won grant funding to help power an offshore gas … and operated by Italy-based oil and gas major, Eni.
Gas passes through the … offshore environments.
NERA said that Carnegie’s solution for Eni Australia’s …
Monday, March 19, 2018
 Vietnamese PM busy in Australia

… to maintain the stable macro environment, continue improving the institutional quality … on port, transport connectivity trade, energy, electricity purchase for the effective and … living and studying in Australia, he added.
Australia has developed a strong …
Monday, March 19, 2018